Decadal comparison of Oral Health Literacy among the employees of Udupi taluk postal division, Karnataka state, India – A Cross-sectional study

Introduction: Oral health literacy (OHL) is an important factor that affects oral health outcomes. Postal employees display distinct patterns of oral health literacy due to their work routine and exposure. Monitoring changes in oral health literacy can help develop targeted interventions. The study aimed to compare oral health literacy among postal employees of Udupi taluk. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among postal employees in Udupi Taluk using a standardized questionnaire to assess oral health literacy. Socio- demographic variables and self-reported oral health behaviors were also recorded, followed by statistical analysis to identify trends and correlations. Results The findings indicate no significant variation in OHL across different decades (p > 0.05). The highest OHL is observed in the 21–30 decade group (11.8 ± 1.81), while the lowest is in the 41–50 decade group (10.4 ± 2.30). Conclusion The results suggest increased oral health awareness due to improved access to healthcare information and public health initiatives.